(Feb. 15, 1968) -- A military guard snapped to a salute
as pallbearers removed the body of 20-year-old Roger Bryan Crowell from Holy
Family Church in the bitter cold last Sunday morning following funeral
services there.

Young Crowell is another Belleville victim of the Vietnam
conflict. He was a product of the Belleville school system and his parents
have been long-time residents of 100 Tiona Avenue.

The telegram of regret from the Army states that
he died
of gunshot wounds suffered during an engagement with the enemy Vietcong
forces on Jan. 31. The body was flown back home to Belleville.

Crowell was known to his family by his nickname "Rog." He
was an outstanding Little Leaguer and winner of many trophies for athletics.

He attended Grammar School 5 on Greylock Parkway,
Belleville and went on to Belleville High School where he was especially
active in football, baseball and basketball. He graduated from BHS in 1965.

Crowell was engaged to be married for several years to
Gail Corino, his high school sweetheart. A draft notice precipitated the
marriage but because their marriage was kept secret, the ceremony was held
at three different times in as many different churches - in June, September,
and December 1966.

The young couple had only four days plus Roger's leave
time, to be together in all their married life. Their son, Roger Jr. is now
10-months old; he was born in Clara Maass Memorial Hospital. Roger Sr. was
able to obtain leave and arrive to be with his wife and new baby the day
after the birth.

In his letters home from Vietnam, Crowell shows that he
still had the same hopes and interests in his family's activities that he
had before he became a soldier.

Letters From Vietnam

"Hello Brother, How's things going back home? Good, I
hope. I hear you put the engine in Vinnie's car (a racing motor). How does
it go? Mom said you were over to get my address about a week ago so
maybe I'll be hearing from you soon. We just got back form a big
operation last night and boy did it feel good to sleep on a cot and have a
shower. I guess Mom told you that they finally made me a Specialist 4th
Class. It's about time, especially after 11 months of Pfc. What have you
been doing lately? Are you still working in the schools? Well, there isn't
much more to write about ..."

"Hello Mom and Dad. I guess it's been quite a while since
the last letter I wrote you. Everything is okay here. I came back to Cu Chi
just in time to see Bob Hope. They had a pretty good show and it really gave
the guys a good time so it kinda made up for not being in on Christmas..."

Father Robert Cassini officiated at the services Sunday
at Holy Family. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

He is survived by one brother, Winfield R. Crowell, of
Newark, who recently returned from active duty in Vietnam; and by a sister
Mrs. Della Dranow of Verona, who has two children.

Many flowers were received from his old friends and
acquaintances by Landolfi Funeral Hope for Funerals, Union Avenue,
Belleville, where the body was on view.

Mayor Kenneth D. Smith, the Town Commission, civic and
veterans' organizations and local residents have extended their
sympathy to the grieving family.

The President of the
United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9,
1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting
the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to

Specialist Fourth
Class Roger Brian Crowell (ASN: US-52687737), United States Army for
extraordinary heroism in action in connection with military
operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the
Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop C, 3d Squadron, 4th
Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division.

Specialist Four
Crowell distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on
31 January 1968 while serving as a tank driver of an armored platoon
on a reaction mission during the communist Lunar New Year offensive.

His platoon was
called to reinforce friendly elements engaged in a fierce firefight
with a regimental size force of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army
soldiers who had penetrated the Tan Son Nhut Air Base perimeter.
While moving into the battle site, the platoon was subjected to
savage enemy rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire.

Specialist Crowell's
tank was struck by three anti-tank rockets, and his commander
directed the crew to evacuate the disabled vehicle. Heedless of his
safety amid withering hostile fire, Specialist Crowell
unhesitatingly left the driver's compartment and climbed inside the
tank. Alone, he quickly loaded and fired eighteen devastatingly
accurate cannon rounds on the attacking insurgents.

When continuing
enemy rocket fire rendered the main gun inoperable, Specialist
Crowell fearlessly exposed himself to the relentless fusillade and
raked the hostile positions with a hail of bullets from the tank's
machine gun until he was struck by enemy small arms fire and
instantly killed.

Specialist Four
Crowell's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of
his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit,
and the United States Army.

Roger B. Crowell was
born on August 16, 1947, to Mellville and Grace Crowell. His home of
record is Belleville, N.J. He had two siblings, Winfield and Della.
Being an avid sportsman, Roger enjoyed basketball, baseball and
football. He also loved working on racecars with his brother. He
graduated from Belleville High School in 1965. Roger and his wife,
Gail, had one son, Roger.

He served in the US
Army and attained the rank of Specialist 4 (SP4). He was assigned to
1st Platoon, C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th
Infantry Division.

Crowell was killed in
action on January 31, 1968 when an armored personnel carrier he was
driving was hit by rockets.

He was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the
Combat Infantryman Badge, and the South Vietnamese Cross of
Gallantry.